Patents by Inventor Richard M. Winters

Richard M. Winters has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8805992
    Abstract: A common communications protocol is described among devices in a unified communications network. Native devices receive upstream commands and forward them to downstream devices without interpreting the commands. The native devices reformat commands intended for mapped devices in the unified communications network. The common communications protocol calls for left shifting address fields for transmitted commands until the command arrives at its intended destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M Winter, Benedict A Findlay
  • Patent number: 8363844
    Abstract: Systems and methods for contextual audio switching for a USB controlled audio device coupled to a processor-based host are presented. Two or more USB audio endpoints associated with a singular output audio transducer or transducer set are declared at the USB controlled audio device. The two or more USB audio endpoints are monitored to identify an audio signal presence at the two or more USB audio endpoints. A priority audio signal may be determined responsive to identifying the audio signal presence at two or more USB audio endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M Winter
  • Publication number: 20120005281
    Abstract: A common communications protocol is described among devices in a unified communications network. Native devices receive upstream commands and forward them to downstream devices without interpreting the commands. The native devices reformat commands intended for mapped devices in the unified communications network. The common communications protocol calls for left shifting address fields for transmitted commands until the command arrives at its intended destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: PLANTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard M. Winter, Benedict A. Findlay
  • Publication number: 20100158288
    Abstract: Systems and methods for contextual audio switching for a USB controlled audio device coupled to a processor-based host are presented. Two or more USB audio endpoints associated with a singular output audio transducer or transducer set are declared at the USB controlled audio device. The two or more USB audio endpoints are monitored to identify an audio signal presence at the two or more USB audio endpoints. A priority audio signal may be determined responsive to identifying the audio signal presence at two or more USB audio endpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Winter
  • Publication number: 20090318081
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Bluetooth Control for VoIP telephony using the Bluetooth Headset Profile are presented. A Bluetooth Headset Profile volume control command message is received and translated to a corresponding USB HID profile menu up or menu down command message. A Bluetooth Headset Profile hookswitch command message is received and translated to a USB HID profile menu item select command message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: PLANTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard M. Winter
  • Patent number: 5618304
    Abstract: An improved surgical tool of the type comprising handle means having a movable tool-operating handle member, a tool head having first and second tissue-engaging members movable between open and closed positions relative to one another, and means coupling the tool head to the handle means for causing opening and closing movement of the tissue-engaging members in response to manipulation of the movable tool-operating handle member. The improved tool is characterized by an inner shaft secured to a stationary part of the handle means, and a hollow outer shaft disposed in telescoping relation to the inner shaft, with the tool head being secured to the inner shaft and the outer shaft being movable axially relative to the inner shaft by manipulation of the movable tool-operating handle member, with the outer shaft causing opening and closing of the tissue-engaging members as it undergoes telescoping movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Innovasive Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Rickey D. Hart, Richard M. Winters, John T. Rice, James E. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5334198
    Abstract: An improved surgical tool of the type comprising a handle assembly having a movable tool-operating handle member, a tool head having first and second tissue-engaging members movable between open and closed positions relative to one another, and a mechanism coupling the tool head to the handle assembly for causing opening and closing movement of the tissue-engaging members in response to manipulation of the movable tool-operating handle member. The improved tool is characterized by an inner shaft secured to a stationary part of the handle assembly, and a hollow outer shaft disposed in telescoping relation to the inner shaft, with the tool head being secured to the inner shaft and the outer shaft being movable axially relative to the inner shaft by manipulation of the movable tool-operating handle member, with the outer shaft causing opening and closing of the tissue-engaging members as it undergoes telescoping movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Innovasive Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Rickey D. Hart, Richard M. Winters, John T. Rice, James E. Nicholson